Jin (real name Kim Seok-jin), a member of BTS member Jin, has been discharged from the military on June 12 after serving for 18 months.
The 31-year-old K-pop star was discharged from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea where he enlisted on Dec. 13, 2022, the first member of BTS to do so.
BTS members were present when Jin emerged from the camp.
BTS' Jin at the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Photos from Big Hit Music)
All BTS members gather on June 12 for Jin, who was discharged from the military (Photo: BTS on X)
BTS' Jin giving a salute as he is discharged from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from Dispatch video on YouTube) 
BTS members welcome Jin after his discharge from the military on June 12 (Screenshot from Dispatch video on YouTube)
BTS' Jin cried as he said goodbye to his fellow soldiers at the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from JTBC News video)
BTS' Jin waves to the media as he is discharged from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from JTBC News video)
BTS' Jin gets a hug from J-Hope upon his discharge from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from JTBC News video)
BTS' Jin with Jimin and RM upon his discharge from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from JTBC News video)
BTS' Jin gets a hug from RM upon his discharge from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on June 12 (Screenshot from JTBC News video)
BTS' Jin (Online community)
It was reported that other BTS members applied for a vacation to meet Jin upon his discharge. BTS’ Jungkook and Jimin, who are also fulfilling their military service, are also serving in the 5th Infantry Division.
On June 11, Jin posted “D-1” on the Weverse app to mark that there was only one day before his discharge.
Last March 4, Jin wrote “D-100” to start the countdown of 100 days before his discharge.
In the Korean Army, Jin served as an assistant drill instructor at the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center. He finished his military service as a sergeant after being promoted to the rank in December from corporal.
Road to military service
Before their enlistment, BTS members’ military service became a national topic in South Korea with lawmakers and the Ministry of National Defense discussing whether to grant exemption on the Grammy nominated group owing to their contribution to uplifting the image of the country through their various achievements.
Amid the debate, BTS members had stated that they would fulfill their military service.
On Oct. 15, 2022, BTS held the World Expo 2030 Busan Korea Concert: BTS Yet To Come in Busan.
Two days later on Oct. 17, Big Hit Music, BTS’ agency, announced that all seven members of BTS would be fulfilling their military service, ending the debate on the exemption.
“After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve,” the agency said.
It said Jin would be the first to serve in the military after concluding the promotion for his solo release “The Astronaut,” which came out on Oct. 28, 2022.
Big Hit Music said all BTS members would regroup in 2025 after finishing their military service.
“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans. Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” Big Hit Music said.
Jin starts military service process
All BTS members are recipients of the culture medals. In October 2018, the Korean government bestowed on BTS members the Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit, the youngest recipients of the award, in recognition for their contribution to spreading Hallyu, or Korean Wave, around the world.
After Jin returned to South Korea after performing at Coldplay’s concert in Argentina, he requested for the cancellation of his privilege of deferring his military service until age 30.
On Dec. 22, 2020, the Korean government promulgated the so-called “BTS Military Service Act” to give outstanding pop culture artists the chance to delay their military enlistment if they are recipients of cultural medals and government awards, and if they are recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).
After the law took effect in June 2021, all BTS members applied to defer their military service until age 30, which was granted. All Korean men should enlist by age 28.
Jin needed to request to cancel the privilege so the Military Manpower Administration, which administers Korea’s military service, could send him his enlistment notice.
On Nov. 12, 2022, Jin revealed through a reply to a fan that he would be deployed to the frontline A Korean journalist told Manila Bulletin that Jin’s post meant that he will be deployed to the “frontline toward NK [North Korea].”
On Dec. 11, 2022, Jin uploaded his photo sporting a buzz cut on Weverse. BTS members were present on Jin’s enlistment day.
Training and promotion
Upon entering the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center, Jin underwent five weeks of basic military training.
On Jan. 18, 2023, Jin completed the military training and uploaded photos on Weverse in military uniform.
“I'm enjoying my life. ARMY, be happy and take care,” he wrote, adding that he got permission from the military to post the photos.
In July 2023, Jin was selected as an elite soldier and got an early promotion to corporal.
Jin was present when other BTS members enlisted in the military.
Big Hit Music issued a statement on June 11, saying, “Please note that the discharge day is reserved for military personnel only. No special events are planned on the day of Jin’s discharge. To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts.”
2024 Festa
A day after his discharge, Jin will be meeting fans on June 13 to celebrate the 2024 Festa, an annual event to celebrate BTS’ debut anniversary.
Jin will hold a meet-and-greet session on June 13 at the Jamsil Arena in Jamsil Sports Complex, Songpa-gu, Seoul.
There will be two sessions for the event. The first session is called “Jin’s Greetings,” or hug event, and will be held at 3 p.m. KST. A total of 1,000 fans were selected through a raffle.
The second session, to be attended by 3,000 fans, will showcase Jin’s various performances.